Omaha, Neb. — After a record-breaking year of expansion in 2015, Scooter’s Coffee is positioning itself for even more growth in 2016. The national franchise has made significant changes to its executive team, which will equip the company with the industry expertise and resources it needs to accelerate its strategic growth plan.
“We’ve spent the past couple of years establishing a solid foundation to support strategic and targeted rapid growth,” says Don Eckles, co-founder and chairman of Scooter’s Coffee. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our plans come to fruition and watch as Scooter’s continues to gain brand recognition and customer loyalty across the country. The new executive team structure bolsters the company’s long term prospects for continued growth.”
Todd Graeve will assume the role of chief executive officer. Graeve has been a key member of the Scooter’s management team for more than 7 years, most recently serving as chief financial officer.
“It has been exciting to watch this company grow from a small Midwest-based coffee chain to an emerging national franchising brand,” says Graeve.
Rob Streett, who joined Scooter’s Coffee as senior vice president in early 2015, has been promoted to president and chief operating officer. In this role, Streett will assume direct oversight of franchise expansion efforts, day-to-day operations and overall brand marketing and development. Streett’s resume boasts more than 20 years of experience in both the coffee industry and national franchising. He has held senior leadership positions with well-known national brands, including Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery and Mrs. Fields.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the most innovative leaders in the coffee and franchising industries,” says Streett. “To be able to use that knowledge to help such a promising company take it to the next level is a true honor. While there are several great coffee chains in the country, Scooter’s possesses many unique characteristics that will help differentiate the company on the national playing field.”
In addition to these pivotal changes to the internal team, the company has also brought in Chad Hartnett as chief financial officer. Prior to joining Scooter’s, Hartnett spent 17 years at HDR, Inc., most recently serving as the company’s treasurer, vice president and corporate controller.
With more than 130 stores in soon-to-be 14 states, Scooter’s recently signed a large area representative agreement in Phoenix, along with several other multi-unit agreements in Florida, Oklahoma and Arkansas. In late 2015, the company opened its first location in Roswell, Ga., and plans to build several more stores in the Atlanta area. At the same time, Scooter’s will continue to build locations in the Midwest region, with several stores slated to be opened in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota and Missouri. The company plans to open 25 new locations in the first half of 2016.
Scooter’s Coffee was founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Neb.
SOURCE: Scooter’s Coffee